Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

LAS VEGAS (April 20, 2015) — It has often been said that “as the heavyweight division goes, so goes boxing,” but that has not always been the case and, in fact, might not even be valid when viewed from a comprehensive perspective dating back to the late 19th century. In Boxing, German author Bertram Job’s epic, 420-page coffee-table dissertation on all aspects of the sweet science, he writes that, “Elegance is the trademark of the slim and nimble stars in the under 147-pound weight class that has attracted insiders and admirers of beauty like no other.”

And so it is with what will be another benchmark entry in the rich history of the division when, on May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on pay-per-view, welterweight champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) takes on fellow titlist Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a long-anticipated unification showdown that will be the richest prizefight in the sport’s history, and which has drawn comparisons to some of the premier matchups in a weight class imprinted with that elegant trademark to which Job referred.

Although Pacquiao, the only fighter ever to win world championships in eight weight classes, and Mayweather, who has reigned in five weight classes, have not campaigned solely or even mostly as welterweights, it is hardly a surprise that the most important intersection of their remarkable careers comes in the same division for which so many of boxing’s greatest legends are primarily known.

The “gold standard” to which all welterweights aspire remains the late, great Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Walker Smith Jr., the skinny kid who had never fought in a sanctioned bout at any level was a tag-along with coach George Gainford to an amateur tournament in Kingston, N.Y. Asked if he had a flyweight he wished to enter, Gainford was about to say no when Smith tugged on his sleeve and said, “I’ll fight.” As it turned out, Gainford had an AAU card – you needed one to be certified as a non-professional – in the name of Ray Robinson, one of his boxers who had given up the sport. Smith/Robinson won a four-round decision, and, although no one knew it then, thus was a legend born.

Robinson was 85-0 as an amateur before turning pro at 19 in 1940. By 1951, he was 128-1-2 with 84 knockout victories. Although he is also remembered for winning the middleweight title five times, Robinson never lost as a welterweight, winning so often and so emphatically that the legendary trainer, Eddie Futch, was moved to observe that, “He had everything. Boxing skills, punching power, a great chin, mental strength. There was nothing he couldn’t do.”

Robinson also had an outsized ego, which perhaps is a necessary component to any great fighter’s mental makeup. Even a trace of doubt in one’s own ability is not conducive to success in the ring. Once, when asked about his “golf game,” Muhammad Ali, who didn’t play golf, responded, “I’m the best, greatest of ’em all. I just haven’t played yet.”

Mayweather certainly brings that aura of invincibility to his work, and maybe not just because he has yet to lose as a professional. In 2013, he said, “Of course I feel unbeatable. I’m the best. I’m not going into any fight figuring that I’m beatable. I want to make a legacy for myself as the greatest fighter who ever entered the ring.”

Pacquiao, while perhaps not as verbose, is no less secure in his own belief system. It is those heaping measures of talent and swagger that make Mayweather vs. Pacquiao a must-see event. Which of these outstanding fighters can make the other bend to his will? Who will have his name written in larger print in the big book of welterweights?

The International Boxing Hall of Fame has inducted 23 fighters who were, at one time or another, welterweight champions. In addition to Robinson, those whose plaques grace the hallowed hall include Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Carmen Basilio, Henry Armstrong, Emile Griffith, Pipino Cuevas, Jose Napoles, Curtis Cokes, Barney Ross, Kid Gavilan, Wilfred Benitez, Luis Rodriguez, Mickey Walker, Fritzie Zivic, Jack Britton, Jackie Fields, Ted “Kid” Lewis and “Mysterious” Billy Smith. Mayweather and Pacquiao are of course assured of joining their ranks as soon as they become eligible to go onto the ballot.

The lead-up to Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has generated no shortage of comparisons to past welterweight clashes that are notable for the classic nature of those bouts, the widespread public interest attendant to them, or both.

Is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao more likely to be a repeat of, say, Leonard-Duran I, which Duran won on a rousing unanimous decision on June 25, 1980, in Montreal? The epic Leonard-Hearns I, on Sept. 16, 1981, which saw Leonard, trailing on the scorecards, rally for a dramatic, 14th-round TKO at Caesars Palace? Trinidad’s controversial majority decision over De La Hoya in their Sept. 18, 1999, unification showdown at the Mandalay Bay? Or will it make its own mark in such a distinctive way that no comparisons can or should be drawn?

When it comes to unforgettable welterweight bouts, by now it should be obvious that anything and everything is possible. Mayweather and Pacquiao will make history, and add to it, by attempting to bend destiny each to their own purpose.

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Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.SHO.com/Sports, www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports and www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Vasyl Lomachenko will defend the WBO featherweight title against Gamalier Rodriguez on May 2 as part of the Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao card in Las Vegas.

“I’m his biggest fan and I was from the beginning,” Arum said of Lomachenko. “I thought this guy was amazing and it’s an honor to promote him. I want the fans on May 2 to see a typical Lomachenko display of all of his talents, his smarts, his body punching. He’s an extraordinary talent and this is a good platform to exhibit that talent before the biggest possible audience.”

Giving Lomachenko a coveted spot on the biggest boxing card in many years reminded Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti of how a future star — Pacquiao — was positioned on the undercard of the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson pay-per-view card in 2002. Lewis-Tyson was a hugely anticipated heavyweight championship fight and became the highest grossing fight in history at the time.

“I remember when we did Lewis-Tyson and an ultra-talented lighter weight southpaw was featured on that mega card. It was Manny,” said Moretti, who at the time worked for Main Events, Lewis’ promoter. “This has the same type of feeling and we believe it will launch Lomachenko’s status, both in and out of the ring.

“Gammy is a very talented, hardworking boxer-puncher, who accepted this challenge without any hesitation. Puerto Rico will be fully behind him in this fight.”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 17, 2015) – Fighter of the Decade, eight-division world champion and boxing superhero CONGRESSMAN MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO will make yet another guest shot on Jimmy Kimmel Live! This Wednesday! April 22, on ABC, beginning at 11:35 P.M. ET / 10:35 P.M. CT. This will mark the ninth time Pacquiao has appeared on Kimmel’s popular late-night talk show — more than any other active fighter — in their series of entertaining appearances together dating back to November 3, 2009 (the week before Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto). It was on that night that Pacquiao unveiled his singing chops, belting out a rendition of the Dan Hill-penned hit ballad “Sometimes When We Touch.” Manny and Hill collaborated on a remake which also became a hit. Subsequent appearances featured Pacquiao singing duets with Kimmel and Will Ferrell, and an uproarious send-up of HBO Sports’ “24/7” reality franchise, starring Pacquiao and Kimmel sidekick Guillermo. (This link will take you to Manny’s surprise appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the March 11 Los Angeles press conference that announced the “Fight of the Century” between Manny and Floyd Mayweather Jr. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ft5j-zZzw&feature=youtu.be.)

That 2009 appearance also marked Manny’s U.S. network TV debut, which has since led to a multitude of network television, radio and magazine features for the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight world champion, including, CBS’ 60 Minutes, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, ABC’s Nightline, FOX News Channel’s On The Record With Greta Van Susteren, CNN’s America Morning, NPR’s Morning Edition and Weekend Edition, Rollingstone, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, Playboy, Sports Illustrated, ESPN The Magazine and cover stories in TIME and Newsweek.

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippines, is in deep training for the eagerly-anticipated May 2 welterweight world championship unification battle against undefeated FLOYD “Money” MAYWEATHER JR. (47-0, 26 KOs), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the Mayweather-Pacquiao live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

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For more information visit: www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, www.SHO.com/Sports, and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao, @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @HBOboxing, @SHOSports, and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

As anticipation builds for the most anticipated fight of this era – the blockbuster May 2 welterweight unification title showdown between superstars Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao – HBO Boxing commentators Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman will host an exclusive HBO special that lends historical perspective and offers a spirited roundtable discussion featuring an elite group of prizefighters who have gone toe-to-toe with both Mayweather and Pacquiao.
MAYWEATHER/PACQUIAO: THE LEGENDS SPEAK debuts SATURDAY, APRIL 25 (12:15 a.m. ET/PT), immediately following “HBO World Championship Boxing®: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings” from Madison Square Garden in New York.

Other HBO playdates: April 26 (12:15 p.m.), 27 (10:45 p.m.), 28 (1:45 a.m.) and 29 (noon, 5:30 p.m.).
HBO2 playdates: April 26 (2:30 p.m.), 27 (2:15 a.m.), 28 (3:45 p.m., 9:00 p.m.) and 30 (11:35 a.m.).

The half-hour special will open with Lampley and Kellerman setting the stage for the mega-fight, which is expected to set all relevant box-office records. Then Lampley sits down with Oscar de la Hoya and Shane Mosley, who faced both Mayweather and Pacquiao, to talk about how they trained and fought them and what they think each fighter will need to do to win the upcoming showdown. HBO also captured interviews with middleweight title-holder Miguel Cotto and former British boxing sensation Ricky Hatton, both of whom fought Pacquiao and Mayweather in the Las Vegas spotlight.

The closing segment will be hosted by Kellerman, who will anchor a roundtable discussion with three
Hall of Fame fighters who know what it is like to train and excel for a super fight that captures the world’s attention. Panelists include former heavyweight champs George Foreman and Lennox Lewis and former middleweight and light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins. Both Foreman and Lewis are enshrined in the Hall of Fame and Hopkins is a sure-fire selection. All three flourished in the intense spotlight of a mega-fight.
The 147-pound unification championship showdown takes place at a capacity filled MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 2. The live pay-per-view telecast begins at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT and will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and Showtime PPV®.
For more information, visit www.hbo.com/boxing; follow on Twitter at @HBOBoxing; become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and visit us on Instagram @HBOboxing, Follow the conversation using #MayPac.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 16, 2015) – It was Manny Media Mania at Wednesday’s media workout for Fighter of the Decade, eight-division world champion and boxing superhero Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO. Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), who represents the Sarangani province in the Philippines, hosted a Hollywood Media Workout with his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and Hall of Promoter Bob Arum.

Over 300 media from around the globe flocked to Wild Card Boxing Club to ask the trio about Pacquiao’s May 2 welterweight world championship unification battle against undefeated FLOYD “Money” MAYWEATHER JR. (47-0, 26 KOs), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

What Pacquiao, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach said Wednesday:

MANNY PACQUIAO, Eight-Division World Champion

“I feel very excited for the fight.

“I have a lot of sparring partners that are similar to Floyd’s fighting style, we have done well. We know what to expect.

“I have watched tape on Floyd to make sure that our strategy and technique in training camp is correct.

“My entire career defines my legacy; I have already accomplished great achievements in my career while excelling in different weight divisions. This fight is an additional achievement in my career; it’s the biggest fight in boxing history.

“I can say that beating Floyd would be the biggest victory of my career.

“More people are interested and informed about this fight now than they would’ve been five years ago.

“Style wise, I am the same fighter I was five years ago. My determination, inspiration and killer instinct is the exact same as it was five or six years ago.

“For me, boxing is my passion. I enjoy boxing and giving honor to my country of the Philippines. My concern is to bring an exciting fight to my fans. My first concern going into every fight is how will be to be able to entertain my fans, give them enjoyment and make them happy.

“The reason I am so loved by fans is because of my reckless style of fighting. People like exciting fights with actual punches being thrown.”

BOB ARUM, Top Rank CEO

“Manny is motivated, he’s ready for the fight. I expect a great performance from him.

“It’s a very interesting fight because Floyd is a defensive specialist who has a good right hand and picks off his opponents. He’s an extraordinarily good fighter.

“Pacquiao’s strength is speed, particularly his foot speed and the fact that he throws so many punches and attacks from low angles. He really hits harder than Floyd does, so that’s really what it’s going to be about.

“Floyd has a different defense than Juan Manuel Marquez. His defense is primarily his shoulder roll. A lot of his defense is geared against a right handed fighter. With that said, I think Manny is going to surprise a lot of people with how he is going to be able to reach Floyd.

“I would say Manny is more motivated for this fight than any other fight I’ve seen him prepare for.

“I’m looking forward to May 2. I love Manny’s chances of winning, that’s the main thing. He looks great, he’s motivated, no nonsense, and I think he’s going to put on a performance for the ages. It’s going to be hard for him to top his performance against Oscar De La Hoya, but I think he will in this fight.”

FREDDIE ROACH, Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame Trainer

“We have a great idea of when and where we are going to attack Mayweather.

“This fight was five years in the making. Promoters should realize that these types of fights are what’s best for boxing and we should have more fights like this. I’m not surprised by the hype surrounding the fight.

“Manny has really raised the bar in this training camp. He’s a different Manny Pacquiao than I have seen him going into previous training camps. He is punching so much harder in training for this camp.

“Manny is better than ever, his attitude is different and I’ve never seen him work this hard. His speed is faster, his punches are harder. I’m really happy where he’s at. His legs look great; he’s on his toes all the time.

“Mayweather is a good counter-puncher, but Manny has faster hands and his combinations are better than Floyd’s.

“Both fighters have great experience, so I don’t believe that will be a factor in the fight. The biggest thing is that each fighter comes in with a different style. Floyd is a counter-puncher but Manny must be the one to enforce the fight.

“I believe that Manny being a southpaw will be a factor in this fight. Manny showed me tape of Floyd fighting a southpaw and told me that that is exactly what we are going to do in this fight.

“I can tell how much this fight means to Manny because he has watched tape on Floyd. Manny has never watched tape on any fighter before.

“Since Manny moved to 147 he hasn’t knocked many guys out, so getting the knockout in this fight isn’t a concern for me. If Manny fights at 140, then he does knock guys out, but at this weight he is fighting guys who are bigger than him.

“Floyd may be a bigger guy, but we will still win the fight.

“This fight is much bigger than when Manny fought Oscar De La Hoya. Manny is a different person going into this fight. He hit me so hard the other day that I believe it’s the hardest I’ve ever been hit by a fighter who I’m training.

“I don’t believe that Floyd ever wanted this fight, he was forced to take it by the public and the media. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd pulled out now.”

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For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

LAS VEGAS – (April 15, 2015) – More than 200 accredited press members from around the world descended upon Mayweather Boxing Club for Tuesday’s Floyd Mayweather Media Day. It was the 11-time world champion Mayweather’s first and only open training session before his welterweight world championship unification mega-showdown against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, May 2, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on pay-per-view.

Superstars Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) and Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

Several dozen television camera crews, newspaper columnists, boxing writers, radio broadcasters, web reporters, photographers and (video) bloggers watched as Mayweather went through the paces during a 90-plus minute workout that included working the heavy bag, smacking the speed bag, hitting the mitts, jumping rope, stretching and doing calisthenics.

Before a training session streamed in high definition across multiple platforms, including via satellite feed, YouTube and social media, Mayweather answered questions from the media inside a specially-constructed tent in a parking lot outside the gym.

What Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz, who will fight in the top pay-per-view undercard bout on May 2, said Tuesday:

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, 11-Time World Champion

“My training camp is basically running the same way. I think it has been smoother than others. I feel very comfortable and happy with my performances. They push me hard at camp. They know what I need.

“The timing for this fight is right. This fight is about legacy, fans and family. I surround myself with all of the right people.

“I can’t say that this matchup is about hype. This is real life. This is two future Hall of Famers in a mega-fight.

“I’ve done record breaking numbers before and it looks like we’re going to do it again.

“Everything in life is about timing. I have no regrets that this fight didn’t take place five years ago. I didn’t think it was that big then, but it continued to get bigger and bigger. Not just in boxing, but outside of the sport. Pacquiao has continued to grow outside of the sport. We didn’t need to rush anything.

“This is going to be an exciting fight. Our styles are totally different. He is very, very reckless. Every move I make is calculated. I’m always 5-10 steps ahead of my opponent.

“We’ll see what happens when the fight starts. But when all is said and done I’m going to be the winner.

“Pacquiao is strong and solid but I don’t know if he can make adjustments like I can. I feel tremendous.

“This was a difficult fight to make happen, but we made it happen. This fight is one of the biggest ever in boxing.

“I’m still going strong. The last time I looked, I was 47 and 0.

“Anyone can get hit with a great shot, but I can make more adjustments and Manny can’t.

“I don’t think Pacquiao expected me to look as strong or big when we faced off (at the L.A. press conference).

“I walk around at 150-152 pounds to weigh 147 pounds. Other boxers weigh around 160-170 before coming down.

“I’ve got one more fight on my contract. I couldn’t be happier with SHOWTIME and CBS.

“Las Vegas is the boxing capital. During a Floyd Mayweather fight weekend, you can shop, party, stay out late and do anything you want. The city of Las Vegas has everything.

“There were offers to fight other places, but MGM Grand is my home.

“Anything I’ve asked of MGM Grand, they’ve done for me in a heartbeat. They’re all about making entertainers and athletes happy.”

LEO SANTA CRUZ, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to fight on such an unbelievably huge card. I really want to thank Floyd Mayweather.

“Any boxer would like to be on this card where millions of people are watching. I’m happy to represent Mexico on this night and on this fight card.

“I look at it as a key opportunity for me to make an even bigger name for myself, which is my goal because one day I want to become a superstar like Floyd. That’s why I train really hard all of the time.

“There are no little fights for me. I consider every fighter dangerous. You lose when you think a fighter is not on your level and then he comes in hungrier than you. That will never happen to me.

“I don’t know who I’m fighting yet, but I’m sparring different guys with different styles.

“There’s always a lot at risk for me. People keep talking about all of these big fights, but if I don’t win now, there will be no big fights in the future.

“I know who I want to fight, but I don’t pick my opponents; I leave it up to my team. They make those kinds of decisions. My job is to fight and win.

“I have to stay concentrated. I have to maintain focus and concentration. I can’t get ahead of myself. I give 100 percent in training and in the ring. I always want to put on a great fight for the fans.”

LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

“Boxing is at an all time high at the moment. There are a lot of great things going on. Between this fight and getting boxing back on network television, it’s all great for the sport.

“This fight will not only elevate the sport in general, but it will bring in the casual fan to the sport and that’s a great thing.

“The impact that Floyd Mayweather has had on this sport is immeasurable. People won’t be able to appreciate that until he retires. He’s done so much for this sport. He’s given fighters a platform to say to other promoters that they deserve the lion’s share of the money. He’s brought more sponsorships to the sport.

“Floyd Mayweather is the highest paid athlete in all of sports and he happens to be a boxer.

“I think the demand thus far only indicates how big this event is. This is a fight that’s been talked about for five years now and everyone is going to get exactly what they’ve been asking for.

“Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. He’s been in a number of great fights and he’s had a terrific career thus far. These are the two best fighters of this generation and come May 2 there will be one man standing and it will be Floyd Mayweather.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be a great fight. I’m really excited. I can see firsthand the day-to-day preparation that Floyd puts in and he’s working just as hard as ever. The fans are going to get a great fight that night.

“I don’t know what Manny Pacquiao has to do on May 2, but I know what Floyd Mayweather has to do. He has to do what he normally does and go in there and execute his game plan and I really expect Floyd to knock him out.”

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR., Mayweather’s Trainer & Father

“Floyd is as well rounded a fighter as there has ever been, but he’s really still here because of his defense.

“Other guys fight with their head and their mind and come up short. It’s his great defense that has kept him on top for so long.

“I want you all to see it. It’s so plain and simple what he’s going to do. Even Ray Charles could see it.

“I honestly never thought that this was going to happen. So many people were trying to say Floyd was scared. Lets see on May 2 who is scared.

“I can’t tell you why or how, but here’s an update, Floyd is going to kick his a** and knock Pacquiao out.

“I didn’t watch one tape on Pacquiao. There is no reason to study him. He’s not at this level.

“Floyd is the best, I must confess. Nothing is going to stop Floyd Mayweather.

“Pacquiao’s trainer Coach Roach (Freddie Roach) is lying to you. Trying to trick you all. Floyd’s not getting knocked down in the gym. Floyd is the one knocking people down. Roach blows smoke with no hope.“
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For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 15, 2015) – Today may be Income Tax Day in the U.S. but that doesn’t mean Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUAO’s Hall of Fame trainer World-Famous FREDDIE ROACH is wishing undefeated welterweight and super welterweight world champion FLOYD “Flipper, er, Money” MAYWEATHER many happy returns. The top-two pound for pound fighters are 17 days away from their May 2 welterweight world championship unification rumble at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the Mayweather-Pacquiao live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

After hearing how late Mayweather was for his own media workout, the seven-time Trainer of the Year offered his own audit of Manny’s next opponent.

“I am so glad that Mayweather is big on Shots [the social network app. Mayweather uses] because he is going to be taking a lot of them from Manny on May 2,” said Roach, one of the many bon mots he served on Tuesday after Manny’s training session which included 12 rounds of sparring. “That is why he has been avoiding Manny for so long. He didn’t want this fight. He can pretend it was a strategy to build up the fight’s value but that’s not true. For once Mayweather wasn’t able to handpick his opponent. He was forced to take this fight — by Manny, the media and the fans. His excuses for not making the fight haven’t held water for years and Manny finally exposed him. Mayweather ran out of road. Mayweather may have been the ‘A Side’ during the negotiations, but once he signed the contract he became the ‘B Side’ just like he did when he fought Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. That is why he prolonged announcing the fight for as long as he did. He wanted all the attention.

“Mayweather is a different ‘A Side’ now and you can guess what the ‘A’ stands for. He was late for his media workout leaving major media outlets scheduled to go live with dead air. How selfish is that? It doesn’t take a lot to figure out why everyone is rooting for Manny. Just look at which fighter has the most endorsements going into this fight and why. When Manny beats Mayweather it won’t only be about unifying the welterweight titles, it will also be a public service to boxing.

“Mayweather may be two victories shy of tying Rocky Marciano’s record [49-0] but I can assure you Mayweather’s party will end on May 2 and Marciano’s record will remain just that – the record. And Mayweather will forever be known as Mr. 47 and 1.”

Manny Pacquiao’s Media Workout
Will Be Streamed Live Today! at 6 P.M. ET / 3 P.M. PT
https://youtu.be/pa1KDs_YRO0

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For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

By Norm Frauenheim–

LAS VEGAS — On a day when powerful winds kicked up clouds of dust that obscured The Strip’s skyline like a dirty fog, only one thing was predictable:

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was late.

Everything else, especially Mayweather, was unexpectedly low-key Tuesday. Maybe, that shouldn’t qualify as a surprise. What else can possibly be said about his long-awaited fight with Manny Pacquiao on May 2 at the MGM Grand.

A crowd that stood in a parking lot outside of his gym in a strip mall summed it up. David Hasselhoff posed for photos. Every high-end car or stretch limo had people standing on chairs, garbage cans and scrambling up light poles for a better view of a fighter who was scheduled to appear at his media day.

There was one false alarm after another. Finally, there he was, about 90 minutes late. It didn’t matter. This crowd would have waited through the night and perhaps through a cyclone. Truth is, it has been waiting for him to fight Pacquiao for about five years now. What’s a little bit of lost sleep and dust in the wind?

“Everything in life is about timing,’’ Mayweather said in a tent that rattled around in a storm that blew across the Nevada desert. “I don’t regret anything. The timing is right. Before I wasn’t as big. But I’ve been getting bigger and bigger and not just inside the sport of boxing.’’

The potential adds up to something bigger than ever. Mayweather’s minimum is $100 million. Pacquiao is guaranteed $60 million. Since the welterweight bout was announced on Feb. 20, projections have multiplied at an astonishing rate. Now, there’s a chance that Mayweather could collect $180 million and Pacquiao $100 million.

Let the numbers do the bragging. Mayweather doesn’t have to.

He teased Pacquiao, but never said anything remotely offensive or even outrageous. When asked if he was surprised at how much bigger he was than Pacquiao when he stood next to the 5-foot-6 ½ Filipino at a news conference in Los Angeles, the 5-8 Mayweather smiled and said:

Nah,’’ he said. “He wears a lift in his shoes, so he looks a little taller than he really is.’’

He also said that this one fight would not define him or his legacy, which he believes will improve to 48-0.

“It’s just one fight for me,’’ Mayweather said. “If just this one fight defines my legacy, I wouldn’t have had to fight all of those other fights.’’

Mayweather also said he did not believe that the Pacquiao fight will be remembered mostly for his masterful defensive skill.

“When it is said and done, when the book is written, they won’t say Floyd Mayweather was a defensive wizard,’’ he said. “They’ll say he was a winner.’’

Still a winner at 38 years old, he said, because the natural counter-puncher fights with a different style than the aggressive Pacquiao.

“He’s a very, very reckless fighter,’’ Mayweather said. “I can’t say for sure, but I probably wouldn’t have lasted this long if I had been as reckless as him.’’

NOTES: There still was no official word Tuesday on how much tickets will cost before most of them wind up on the secondary market at an inflated price. But Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe promised that the news is forthcoming. “This week, this week,’’ Ellerbe said. …The Nevada State Athletic Commission is expected to announce the referee and judges at a scheduled meeting next Tuesday. …Junior-featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz worked out for the media at Mayweather’s gym Tuesday. Santa Cruz is on the PPV portion of the undercard. But his opponent has yet to be determined. Whoever it is, Santa Cruz promised to be ready for what he hopes is a steppingstone for a showdown with Abner Mares.

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, jr. featherweight beltholder Leon Santa Cruz has been added to mega card that will be headlined by Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao that will take place on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“I’m so honored to be the lead-in for Mayweather versus Pacquiao and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to do so on Cinco de Mayo weekend,” Santa Cruz said. “This will be a huge night for boxing and I plan on showing everybody that I’m all about action-packed fights. I’m grateful to Floyd Mayweather and Mayweather Promotions for giving me this opportunity and giving the Mexican fight fans another reason to cheer on May 2.”

“I’m extremely excited to put one of the most popular and exciting Mexican fighters in the world on the pay-per-view undercard of this historic event on Cinco de Mayo weekend,” Mayweather said. “I’m all about giving my loyal fans what they want. All the fans watching on fight night will be in for a great show when Leo Santa Cruz enters the ring.”

Mayweather Promotions also announced it has added cruiserweight prospect Andrew Tabiti (9-0, 9 KOs), 25, a Chicago native living in Las Vegas, to face an opponent to be determined in an eight-round bout in one of the two untelevised bouts it is responsible for.

“I can’t wait for this opportunity to get in the ring and show off my power on May 2,” Tabiti said. “I’m always ready to put on a show for the fans and I hope they’re ready to see a big knockout.”

“Chris Pearson and Andrew Tabiti are future world champions who will have a chance to perform on the biggest stage in all of boxing on May 2, and I can’t say enough about how excited we are to have Leo Santa Cruz on the card as the lead-in for Mayweather versus Pacquiao,” said Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe.

On April 15, 1985, when Marvelous Marvin Hagler battled Tommy Hearns in their epic match, Al Bernstein was there to announce the fight. Thirty years later, on May 2, 2015, Al Bernstein will, again be ringside to announce the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquaio mega fight. In between those two great events Al has fashioned an announcing career that earned him a long list of accolades and landed him in The International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Bernstein is the bridge to these two major events in boxing history. He said: “As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Hagler-Hearns and look back at what those two great athletes created, it’s also exciting to look forward to another milestone in the sport’s rich history. To be a part of both those events is and honor and responsibility that I don’t take lightly. In 1985 I was in the first part of my career filled with excitement to have such an important assignment—now 30 years later, with all the big fights I’ve done, I am just as excited to be ringside. The atmosphere at the Caesar’s Palace outdoor arena 30 years ago was electric. It was a night I will never forget.That same intensity will be felt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena when Floyd and Manny do battle. I can’t wait to be ringside and help chronicle that event.”

In his book, “30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths About Boxing, Sports and TV”, Al details many of the colorful events and personalities surrounding the Hagler-Hearns mega fight.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 7, 2015) – SACRÉ BLEU! We have all heard of France’s New Wave style of filmmaking but has FLOYD “Money” MAYWEATHER decided to incorporate New Wave training into his preparations for his battle against Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO or is he just a fish out of water? Their welterweight world championship unification battle takes place Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

By the looks of the footage Mayweather posted on his Instagram account http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/boxing/9793142/floyd-hits-the-pool it seems like the undefeated reigning welterweight and super welterweight world champion is underwater from the pressure of his impending battle with the man he has finally been forced to fight — eight division world champion and boxing superhero Pacquiao!

“Sounds like we should start calling him Floyd “Flipper” Mayweather,” said Hall of Famer and seven-time Trainer of the Year World-Famous Freddie Roach. “Team Mayweather would be wise to add a lifeguard to their corner on fight night because Manny is taking ‘Mr. 47 and 1’ into deep water. Swimming lessons or whatever he thinks he is doing will not help him survive the shark-infested waters he will be entering on May 2. I’m betting his little buddy Justin Bieber will be walking him into the ring singing this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azEOeTX1LqM.”

Promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the Mayweather-Pacquiao live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

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For more information visit: www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com, www.hbo.com/boxing, www.SHO.com/Sports, and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao, @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @HBOboxing, @SHOSports, and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/HBOBoxing and www.facebook.com/SHOsports.

April 2, 2015 –Fight fans captivated by the fast-approaching welterweight unification title fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao can enjoy a revealing look at Pacquiao’s brilliant ring career when HBO Sports presents three of his all-time classic bouts back-to-back.

On Friday, April 17 at 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and Saturday, April 18 at 8:15 a.m. (ET/PT), HBO2 will replay Pacquiao vs. Bradley II 2014, Pacquiao vs. Cotto 2009 and Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya 2008 back-to-back.

In the bright spotlight of Las Vegas on April 12, 2014, Manny Pacquiao avenged a controversial loss with a dominating performance over then undefeated Timothy Bradley Jr. in their championship title rematch.

Pacquiao’s reputation as slugger was solidified on November 14, 2009 with a resounding 12th round TKO triumph over Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Rounding out the three-hour Manny fight marathon will be Pacquiao’s signature triumph over Oscar de la Hoya on Dec. 5, 2008 that catapulted the young prizefighter from the Philippines into a superstar personality. The fight was halted in the 8th round as Pacquiao’s unrelenting attack dominated the action.

All three fights will also be available 24 hours a day to HBO On Demand® and HBO GO® subscribers beginning Monday, April 20.

The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao mega-fight takes place Saturday, May 2 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on pay-per-view beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Despite reports to the contrary, legendary Muhammad Ali has yet to make a pick for the mega showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It was reported that Muhammad Ali picked a favorite in the upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao fight on May 2. Muhammad Ali would like to wish both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao well in their upcoming fight,” Ali family spokesman Bob Gunnell said in a statement given to ESPN.com on Thursday.

“Muhammad never offered to anyone his prediction, and information that was published earlier this week and picked up by other media is either a misquote or someone else’s personal opinion. The stories saying that Muhammad Ali has chosen a favorite in the fight are false.”

Earlier this week, TMZ quoted Rasheda Ali, one of the heavyweight great’s daughters, as saying, “My dad is Team Pacquiao all the way!”

“Muhammad has the utmost respect for both fighters, who will undoubtedly give boxing fans an incredible match,” Gunnell said. “He believes the significance of this fight will rival other historic matches. Muhammad Ali will join the rest of the world on May 2 to watch this matchup.”

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank